Pitch, Tempo, and Timbral Preferences in Recorded Piano Music

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain pitch, tempo, and timbre preferences of undergraduate music students. The effects of each of these variables were assessed independently of the other two within a realistic listening situation. Ninety-six subjects were randomly assigned to four groups. All subjects heard 12 excerpts of familiar and unfamiliar solo piano music. Subjects in groups 2, 3, and 4 selected pitch level, tempo, and timbral quality, respectively. Group 1 subjects modulated a dial connected to the speed control on a variable-speed tape recorder by which they modulated these variables simultaneously. Results indicated a large preference for increased tape speed by Group 1 subjects; preferences for fast tempo and bright timbre when each variable was examined independently from the effects of other variables; no particular preference for pitch levels significantly different from those heard on unaltered recordings; no relationship between accuracy of response and excerpt familiarity; and preference direction was a function of excerpt familiarity for subjects in Group 3 (Tempo) only.